PRATHERSVILLE - Missouri Task Force 1 held a full-scale training for Missouri state agencies on November 2 and November 3 at the Boone County Fire Protection District Training Center.

Agencies responded to real-life large scale scenarios and are expected to save as many lives as possible. Some of the scenarios included scenes from after an earthquake, a collapsed car garage, and collapsed buildings.

Although the scenarios were set up, danger was still a risk for those participating in the training.

Boone County Fire Protection District Fire Chief Scott Olsen said the job is dangerous and Saturday was no exception.

"The reality is that we need to train like we will essentially operate out in the field and so there are real dangers during these training events."

One squad was given the mission to rescue a child and adult from a simulated parking structure collapse. The team was able to climb within the rubble and rescue both the child and adult.

Diann Straatmann, Rescue Squad Officer for Missouri Task Force 1 said that its days like Tuesday that add clarity to complicated situations.

"From being on real life deployments to training like this. Just being able to go into local areas and let them know what we can do and what resources we have it is very beneficial. If we ever have something major there is not one entity that can solve the problem."

Olsen was especially excited about the new Lakota Helicopter the National Guard received in August. Missouri Task Force 1 will get to use the helicopter to better assist people on their missions.

One pilot said having more aircrafts helps response time tremendously.

" The response times would be delayed with out them. With the aircraft it allows us to get airborne and cover the damage area that you typically can't get to because of debris. We can help them find the best means in and out of the impacted area." said Air-force Auxiliary Pilot Tom Henderson.

While the helicopter and communication technicians tested different scenarios, teams on the ground continued to try to rescue more than twenty eight people from debris.

Rescue teams from all over Missouri participated. Participating agencies include: the Saint Louis Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), the Missouri Disaster Response System, the Missouri Disaster Mortuary Response Team (DMORT), Civil Air Patrol, the Missouri Army National Guard (MOANG) 7th Civil Support Team (7thCST) and the Joint Forces Headquarters Company B,1-376 Security and Support Battalion.